“The moment you stop caring what other people think most about you is most likely when you start doing what God wants most.”
Ann Voskamp
Comparison is a lethal tool in the enemy’s hands. I have to constantly be on guard to not trip into Satan’s snare. It’s easy for me to wish to be more like other speakers: polished, pausing in the right places and using voice inflections or humor to hold the audience’s attention. If I don’t watch out, the same can occur, as I read other authors’ blog posts.
Two responses can surface when we fall into the comparison trap. If we compare ourselves up, our pride becomes puffed up, elevating us into arrogance and away from our need for God. Comparing ourselves down is no better, as we end up looking inward at ourselves in an unappealing light. Comparison causes us to feel either superior or inferior and both are forms of pride.
The Word of God in II Corinthians 10:12 sheds wisdom on this topic. “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” We need to resist the temptation to measure ourselves through comparison.
The worst part of the comparison trap is that it kills who we really are and who God created us to be. When we’re focused on someone else’s abilities or looks and we try to become like them, then we’re not free to be the people God designed us to be. The world then misses out on God’s wonderful creation – you!
The solution is contentment, acceptance and awareness of who we are. As we embrace that person and humbly accept our strengths as well as our weaknesses, then we glorify God with ourselves. It’s a win-win-win scenario. The world is blessed by our uniqueness, God receives honor and we experience contentment.
“Comparison is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a trap. We can choose to free ourselves by practicing humility.”
Shannon Popkin
Relevant Reflections:
Describe a recent time when you compared yourself up and exalted yourself.
Reflect on an instance when you compared yourself down and you felt insecure, ashamed and jealous.
What practical steps can you take to prevent you from falling into the comparison trap?